Six dead in Jaipur hospital fire; kin allege staff negligence

A devastating fire broke out late Sunday night in the Trauma ICU of Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur, claiming the lives of six critically ill patients. The blaze, suspected to have originated from a short circuit in a storage area, also prompted the evacuation of 14 other patients from a different ICU.

Dr. Anurag Dhakad, in-charge of the trauma centre, confirmed the deaths, four men and two women. At the time of the fire, 11 patients were admitted in the Neuro ICU. Thick smoke spread rapidly, damaging medical equipment and essential documents, complicating rescue operations.

Hospital staff tried to rescue patients, but the intensity of the fire made it difficult to enter the ICU. Vikas, a ward boy, said, “We immediately went to rescue patients and managed to save three to four people, but as the flames intensified, it became impossible to go inside. We did our best under the circumstances.”

Several family members raised concerns over alleged negligence. Puran Singh claimed, “When there was a spark, there was a cylinder beside it. The smoke spread throughout the ICU, causing everyone to flee in panic. Some managed to rescue their own patients, but mine was left alone in the room. As the gas spread further, they shut the gates.” Other relatives reported that staff fled without helping, leaving patients trapped.

Amid the chaos, police constable Hari Mohan, present at the hospital for a medical check-up, bravely intervened. Breaking the ICU window with a fire extinguisher, he, along with other police personnel, rescued several patients using bedsheets. Injuries were reported among the rescuers, including a police officer who was critically affected while saving lives.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel and Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham, visited the hospital to meet doctors, patients, and families. The government announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the families of the deceased and assured a thorough investigation into the fire and lapses in safety protocols, with strict action against those responsible.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief on X, offering condolences to the bereaved families and wishing speedy recovery to the injured. Authorities are continuing a detailed probe to determine the exact cause of the fire and to assess hospital safety measures to prevent future tragedies.